The hearing, “How Climate Change Threatens U.S. National Security,” is one in a litany of hearing congressional committees taking up on climate change in the new 116th Congress.

Worthington testified with three other expert witnesses: Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, USN (Ret), Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment; The Honorable Sherri Goodman, Former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security; and, Paul Weisenfeld, Executive Vice President of RTI International.

In a statement on the hearing, Barry Worthington said:

“The U.S. energy industry is cutting carbon emissions meeting global climate goals all while increasing production and strengthening national security. As a country, we are leading, and Trump administration policies are moving us along a sound path to continue to address the threats of climate change.

“We believe the best way to address climate change is to allow a market-based approach that includes a diverse energy supply

“The energy industry continues to ensure American citizens have access to safe, affordable, reliable, and clean energy. Meanwhile, there are about two billion people around the world with either no access, or inadequate access to energy. Lack of adequate energy supplies poses national security concerns for all nations.

“Our industry’s challenge is to double the provision of energy services globally, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Domestically our industry has undertaken a wide range of initiatives to do so and we are very proud of our progress. We believe in diversity of supply. But, energy innovation is critical. To that end, Congress can secure research and development funding for next generation technologies such as carbon, capture and storage, high efficiency/low emissions technology for fossil fuels and commercial-scale storage for renewable resources.

“Americans lead the world in innovation and we can complete the energy revolution that began in earnest a decade ago. And, we can do this without additional regulation. We must continue to find ways to reduce emissions without threatening our economy.

“Countries today are, in fact, expanding their consumption of fossil fuels. Coal mines and plants are being built in Russia and China and dozens of other countries. These plants will be releasing greenhouse gas emissions for 50 to 60 years.

“If we implement the Paris Accord as it exists today, our economic competitors will be accessing cheap energy while we force American consumers and industries to utilize higher-priced energy. Does this threaten our national security?”